Pancakes are an extremely popular food that can be enjoyed sweet or savory, depending on your preference, but one thing is for sure; everyone loves pancakes. However, pancakes are not as easy to make as most people assume; some problems can develop along the way. So, why are your pancakes white?
There are multiple reasons why your pancakes will turn out white. These include your pan not being at the right temperature when you pour the pancake mixture in, not adding enough sugar or milk to the mixture, and your baking soda is too old, just to name a few of the possible reasons.
Pancakes are a great treat for all family members, but they can be tricky to get right. Let’s see how you can make the perfectly browned and fluffy pancakes that everyone loves in the future.
Why Are Your Pancakes White After Cooking?
Pancakes are a delicious anytime treat enjoyed by many people across the world. Most people agree that there is nothing better than a perfectly cooked pancake, with some maple syrup drizzled over it and a few fresh berries on top.
Some people like to pair their pancakes with a fried egg and some bacon, while others prefer the sweeter route. Whatever your preference, we all enjoy a good pancake. This is why it’s all the more disappointing when your pancakes don’t turn out the way you wanted or expected them to.
Many people struggle with the problem of their pancakes not browning nicely on the exterior. Unfortunately, several things could have caused this problem. Let’s take a look at them and see how you can avoid this problem in the future and make the best pancakes.
1 – Not Enough Sugar in the Recipe
Pancake recipes vary with the amount of sugar needed in them. However, sugar plays a key role in browning and creating that perfect pancake color. Not using the right amount of sugar in your pancake mix and not using quality sugar can cause your pancakes to stay white after cooking.
When the sugar in the pancakes begins to melt when the pancakes are cooking, this creates a caramelizing effect on the exterior of the pancakes. This then helps the pancake develop that lovely brown color that everyone loves.
Not adding enough sugar into your pancake mix can also affect the flavor of your pancakes. So, when you are looking for a pancake recipe to use, ensure you find one that uses a good amount of sugar and avoid the ones labeled as “healthier” pancakes or the ones that use sugar substitutes if you want lovely brown pancakes.
2 – You Didn’t Add Enough Dairy
Dairy is an important ingredient in pancakes if you want your pancakes to be brown. This is because the lactose in the dairy is an essential compound in the browning of pancakes, and without it, your pancakes will not brown.
So, if you are using a milk substitute or did not use enough milk, then your pancakes will probably not brown in the pan. To receive the desired results, you need to change the type of milk you are using or add more to your pancake mix.
If the recipe you are using to make your pancakes uses butter, you should not use yogurt or buttermilk as your dairy; rather, use normal cow’s milk, as these other dairy products mixed with the butter will not allow your pancakes to brown.
3 – Your Pan Was Not the Right Temperature
One of the main reasons people have the problem of their pancakes, not browning, is due to the pan’s temperature when they first begin cooking the pancakes. When you are cooking your pancakes, you need to preheat your pan so that it is hot when you place your pancake batter into it.
The pan needs to be around 400°F before placing the batter into it. If your pan is not hot, this will not allow the sugar in the batter to melt and caramelize quick enough to help brown the pancakes. To help ensure the temperature of your pan is perfect, you can do a simple test.
Pour one or two drops of your pancake mix into the pan. If these drops create a crackling or sparking sound when they hit the pan, your pan is hot enough to start cooking your pancakes.
4 – Your Baking Soda or Powder Is Old
Most people don’t know this, but baking soda and baking powder do have an expiration date, and if you use expired baking soda or powder in your pancake recipe, this can cause unwanted effects on your pancakes.
If your baking soda/powder is too old, it will decrease the chances of your pancakes turning brown as the baking soda will not react as it should with the flour in your pancakes.
This can also cause your pancakes to come out flat, not lovely, and fluffy. So, always check the expiration date of all the ingredients you use to make your pancakes.
5 – You Used the Wrong Pan to Make Your Pancakes
Believe it or not, the material that your pan is made from can affect how your pancakes brown when cooking in the pan. When making pancakes, you should avoid using ceramic pans and use non-stick pans instead.
Ceramic pans don’t seem to reach the correct temperature needed to brown pancakes nicely, and you need to use more butter when you make pancakes with a ceramic pan, which can also affect your pancake batter.
So, when making pancakes, ensure you have a good non-stick pan available, as this will help you make the perfect pancakes.
6 – You Need to Know Your Stove
When making perfect, golden-brown pancakes, you need to know and understand your stove as the different types of stoves work differently and distribute heat differently, too.
For example, an electric stove raises the temperature slowly, which means you will need to wait longer for the pan to heat up before you can start cooking your pancakes.
While a gas stove will heat the pan a lot faster, knowing your stove will allow you to make adjustments to the cooking time needed to make your perfect pancakes.
Final Thoughts
Pancakes are one of the most beloved foods globally as everyone will eat and enjoy a good pancake. Unfortunately, there are a few things that can go wrong in the making of your pancakes that can make your pancakes come out white instead of that lovely pancake brown we all know.
If you fix all the problems mentioned on the list above, then the next time you make pancakes, they will come out perfect! Good luck with your pancakes!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.